Improvement in apparatus for teaching word-analysis



J. MGNEILL. Apparatus for Teaching Word-Analysis.

No. 218,306. Patented Aug. 5, 1879.

N.PETEHS, FN0'\'DLITNOGRAFMERv WASHINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

JAMES MONEILL, OF NEW PARIS, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR TEACHING WORD-ANALYSIS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 218,306, dated August 5, 1879 application filed May 28, 1879.

method and device for illustrating and teaching grammar and analysis by means of colored alphabets, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same. I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawings, in which- Figure lis a perspective view of the box, showing the charts; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box in position for use.

The apparatus consists of a light box, A, which may be made of any suitable dimensions; but I have found that the following dimensions will be amply sufficient for all practical purposes, viz: four and a half feet long, sixteen inches wide, and two inches deep. This box is divided into eight compartments, each compartment having twentysix cells. These compartments are used for eight alphabets, the letters being printed on pieces, a a, of wood or card-board, in eight different colors, which eight colors are used to illustrate the eight parts of speech in grammar, or the difi'erent elements of language in analysis.

B is the lid of the box A, hinged to it at the back, and is preferably arranged so that it can be thrown back only to an angle a little greater than a right angle.

Within the box A is a lid, 0, for covering the alphabet-cells; and on top of this lid is a plate or board, D, hinged to the box, as shown. This plate or board should have a white ground, and is provided with L- shaped rests b b, upon which the letters are to be placed.

The apparatus may be used as follows: It is suspended by the main lid B to a wall at a convenient height, the letter-case A dropping down until it forms an obtuse angle with the lid 3 or the case may be placed on brackets or other suitable support, and the lid raised to rest against the wall.

The learner stands in front of the apparatus, takes the letters from the cells, as a printer takes up his type, and places them on the rest directly in front of him, making any desired sentences or series of sentences, exhibiting all the parts of speech or elements of language in as many different colors. Thus nouns may appear in black, adjectives in blue, verbs in orange, adverbs in yellow, 8250.

In this way a sentence can be analyzed or parsed in less than one-half the time required by the usual method.

My invention can be considered as the object method applied to language.

Instead of printing the letters in different colors, they may be printed on different-colored wood or card-board.

The cells may be made to contain any number of letters: but five or six of each color will generally be enough for ordinary purposes.

In the lid B of the apparatus are hinged charts F, to give an outline of English grammar and analysis.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is e 1. The within-described method of illustrating syntax and word-analysis, by means of differently-colored alphabets for composing parts of speech, substantially as set forth.

2. In a method of illustrating syntax and word-analysis, a series of difierently-colored alphabets, adapted for use substantially as herein described.

3. The case A, divided into compartments and cells, as described, and provided with center lid or plate, D, having the L-shaped rests I) attached thereto,for the purposes herein set forth.

4. The combination of the box A, having compartments and cells, as described, the main lid B, lid 0, and plate D, with rests b, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES MoNEILL.

Witnesses F. N. HAZELTINE,

L. W. BIcHEY. 

